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The Daughters of Zelophehad

Funke Otiwhor Ajigboye
Mar 13
3 min read

Numbers 27, 36

The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah. Numbers 27: 1

The story of Zelophehad's daughters in the book of Numbers is a remarkable tale that touches on themes of faith, fairness, and how God provides for us. This story not only shows the importance of standing up for your rights but also highlights how God responds when we seek justice.

The Courage of Zelophehad's Daughters

In Numbers 27:1-2, we meet the five daughters of Zelophehad: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tarzah. Their father passed away in the wilderness, and since he had no sons, there was a risk that his name would be forgotten. These brave women decided to take action. They went to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders at the entrance of the tent of meeting to share their situation:

"Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not part of the group that rebelled against the LORD; he died for his own sin, and he had no sons. Why should our father's name be removed from his family because he had no son? Give us a share of the land among our father's brothers." Numbers 27:3-4

Moses Turns to God

Moses was faced with a unique request, so he took their case to God. In Numbers 27:7, God answered positively, saying:

"The daughters of Zelophehad are right; you must give them an inheritance among their father's brothers, and let their father's inheritance pass to them."

This was a groundbreaking moment, setting a new standard for women's rights to inheritance in Israel and ensuring that Zelophehad's name would continue through his daughters.

Setting the Rules

God also instructed Moses to create a law about inheritance. If a man died without sons, his inheritance would go to his brothers, and if there were no brothers, to the closest relative. This rule was meant to keep inheritances within the family and tribe, helping to maintain the identity of the tribes in Israel.

The Concerns of Manasseh

In Numbers 36, the relatives of Zelophehad raised a concern about what would happen if the daughters married outside their tribe. To address this, Moses shared God's command:

"This is what the LORD says about the daughters of Zelophehad: They can marry anyone they want, but only within their father's tribe." Numbers 36:6

This rule ensured that the daughters' inheritance would stay within the tribe of Manasseh, protecting the tribe's inheritance rights.

God's Promise Fulfilled

The daughters of Zelophehad followed this guidance and married within their tribe. Their faith and bravery were rewarded when, in Joshua 17:3-6, they received their inheritance as the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes. Their actions not only honored their father's legacy but also set a positive example for future generations.

Lessons from Zelophehad's Daughters

From the story of Zelophehad's daughters, we can learn several important lessons:

Speak Up for What's Right: The daughters didn't stay quiet when they faced injustice. They took their concerns to the right people, showing us how important it is to advocate for fairness.
Faith Means Taking Action: Their faith motivated them to act. They knew that faith without action is meaningless (James 2:26), and they believed God would support them.
Good Leadership Matters: Moses' willingness to seek God's guidance shows the importance of having leaders who care about justice. His actions led to significant changes in Israel's laws.
God Has Solutions: The story illustrates that God is aware of our needs and has solutions ready for us, even before we ask.
Patience is Key: The daughters had to wait until they reached Canaan to claim their inheritance, reminding us that faith often requires patience as we trust in God's timing.

In summary, the story of Zelophehad's daughters is a powerful reminder of the strength of faith, courage, and divine justice. Their legacy continues to inspire many to stand firm in their beliefs and fight for fairness in their communities.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus, asking for the courage to speak boldly against injustice, as Your Word instructs us in Proverbs 31:8-9 to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." Help me to seek Your will in every aspect of my life, aligning my heart with Psalm 143:10, which says, "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God." Strengthen my faith in this season, as promised in Hebrews 11:1, that I may walk by faith and not by sight. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.